Lorry driver denies M6 death crash charges

A lorry driver has denied five counts of causing death by dangerous driving after a crash on the M6.

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Police at the scene of the fatal crash on the M6 near Stafford

Polish national Zbigniew Grzabel also pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, following a collision involving a truck and Nissan Micra on the M6 near Stafford on May 24 last year.

The 61-year-old, of Glebefields Road, in Tipton, entered pleas at Stafford Crown Court on Monday.

He will stand trial in June. Grzabel, wearing a dark suit and cost, appeared in the dock and followed proceedings with the help of a Polish interpreter.

Four women and a man, all Romanian nationals, died in the crash on the southbound carriageway between junction 15 and junction 14, in the early hours.

Among the victims were driver Marius Zevian, 45, and Cucoana Zevian, 49.

They had been travelling from Stoke-on-Trent in a Nissan Micra when the crash happened.

A 37-year-old male front seat passenger who was also in the Micra survived despite multiple injuries.

Setting a trial date, judge Martin Butterworth told Grzabel, who appeared on unconditional bail: “Your trial is going to be on June 18. You have obligations before then, in particular to provide a defence statement, before March 21.

"You must attend your trial and if you do not you will have committed a criminal offence and you may be tried in your absence.”